Alan O'Connor (35) who worked in the Natural History Collections at the National Museum in Dublin, had just completed a teacher training course.

“Maybe heading down to Killarney I was a bit more comfortable with it than some of the younger lads - I think experience was a big plus for us against Kerry.”

Cork will be boosted by the return of experienced middle-third operator Alan O'Connor following Sunday's Allianz NFL Division 1 final against Dublin, it emerged tonight.